Movie Studio Construction News
Texas
Governor Rick Perry Signs Film Incentives Bill
Gov.
Rick Perry has signed into law House Bill 873 to expand the state’s incentive
program for the production of movies, television shows, commercials and video
games in Texas.The governor was joined by lawmakers, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, members of the Texas Motion Picture Alliance, and representatives of the film, television, commercial and video game industries from across the state at Rodriguez's Troublemaker Studios for the signing.
"The passage of House Bill 873 is an important step in helping Texas regain its footing in the moving image business," Gov. Perry said. "With this legislation, we are strengthening our state's investment in a vital industry that not only shows off our state to the rest of the world, but also draws investment and creates jobs for Texans."
The legislation gives the Texas Film Commission flexibility in the amount of incentives it can offer film, television, commercial and video game projects. Under the new program, incentive payments for film and television projects will range from 5 to 15 percent based on the level of Texas spending.
The moving image industry has brought more than $1.2 billion dollars to the state in the past 10 years. In spite of that, Texas has lost approximately 7,000 crew positions and $500 million in production spending to states with more competitive film incentives, such as New Mexico, whose feature film and television productions contributed $242 million to its state economy in 2008, and Louisiana, which earned $350 million in production in 2007. Currently, about 25 percent of Texas-based film professionals are working in these states, some starting to relocate permanently.
Here is some more detailed information about the new incentive program:
NEW Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program
The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program offers qualifying feature films, television programs, commercials, video games, and stand-alone post-production/finishing projects the opportunity to receive a payment of 5-15% of eligible Texas spending upon completion of a review of their Texas expenditures. Both live-action and animated projects are eligible.
FILM & TELEVISION PROJECTS
- Feature Films
- Documentaries
- Episodic Television Series
- Television Episodes
- Television Movies
- Miniseries
- Reality Television
- Interstitial Television Programming
- Nationally Syndicated Talk Show
Program Overview
- Tiered incentive payments of 5-15% based on level of Texas spending.*
- Option A to choose incentive calculation based on total in-state spending.*
- Option B to choose incentive calcualtion based on wages paid to Texas residents.*
- Possible bonus of 2.5% if 25% of production completed in underutilized area for Option A.
- Possible bonus of 4.25% if 25% of production completed in underutilized area for Option B.
- Texas spending can include eligible pre-production,
production and post-production expenditures.
- No cap on incentive amount.
Total
In-State Spending | Option
A (Total TX Spend) | Option
A + Underutilized Area | Option
B (TX Wages) | Option
B + Underutilized Area |
$
250K - $ 1M | 5 % | 7.5
% | 8 % | 12.25
% |
$ 1M - $ 5M | 10
% | 12.5 % | 17
% | 21.25 % |
$ 5M + | 15
% | 17.5 % | 25
% | 29.25 % |
Minimum Qualifications
- $250,000 in Texas spending.
- 60% of shooting days completed in Texas.
- 70% of paid crew must be Texas residents.
- 70% of paid cast (including extras) must be Texas residents.*
* except reality television and talk shows.
COMMERCIAL
PROJECTS
- National Commercials
- Regional Commercials
- Series of Commercials
- Infomercials
- Interstitial Advertising
- Music Videos
- Educational Videos
- Instructional Videos
Program Overview
- Incentive payment of 5% of Texas spending.
- Possible bonus of 2.5% if 25% of production completed in underutilized area.
- Texas spending can include eligible pre-production, production and post-production expenditures.
- No cap on incentive amount.
Minimum Qualifications
- $100,000 in Texas spending.
- 60% of shooting days must be completed in Texas.
- 70% of paid crew, cast & extras combined must be Texas residents.
VIDEO
GAME PROJECTS
- Console Games
- Computer Games
- Handheld Console Games
- Mobile Electronic Device Games
- Stand-Alone Arcade Games
- Browser or Web Based Games
Program Overview
- Incentive payment of 5% of Texas spending.
- Possible bonus of 2.5% if 25% of production completed in underutilized area.
- No cap on incentive amount.
Minimum Qualifications
- $100,000 in Texas spending.
- 60% of production days must be completed in Texas.
- 70% of paid employees and contract labor must be Texas residents.
POST-PRODUCTION / FINISHING PROJECTS
For stand-alone post-production / finishing projects for film, television and commercials.- Incentive payment of 5-15% of Texas spending.
- Percentage based on type of project and level of Texas spending.
- No cap on incentive amount.
For more information please visit the Texas Motion Picture Association.
 | Bob Moore Construction, Inc. 1110 North Watson Road Arlington, Texas 76011 (817) 640-1200 • Fax: (817) 640-1250 www.General Contractor .com |
